Themes by tag: occupation

Yevhen Sosnovskyi is a photographer who has lived in occupied Mariupol for over two months. He took his first series of photos during the full-scale russian invasion in early March. He photographed the shelled area where he lived, the destruction, and people fleeing their homes. Among other things, the Yevhen filmed people melting the snow to get water. He also had to treat wounded relatives. To get out of the occupied territories, he and his wife overcame crossing more than 25 checkpoints.

• occupation
• Mariupol

Dismantling of detached homes destroyed by the russians continues in Bucha, Kyiv region. In particular, the City Council showed a house on Vokzalna Street. Experts have already dismantled the damaged buildings and cleared the area around. (During the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian military destroyed a large column of russian equipment on Vokzalna Street in Bucha. At the time, photos of this street spread around the world.)

The dismantling of the detached houses damaged by the russian shells in Bucha and surrounding areas has become possible with the help of the UNDP Ukraine project funded by Japan’s government. In the near future, nearly 30 damaged homes will be disassembled as a part of this project.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Halyna is a resident of Mariupol and Co-Founder of Halabuda Educational Hub. At the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, this hub became a support center for thousands of people. Those whose houses had been destroyed as well as many others came here. Over two hundred volunteers worked in the hub. At that point, Halyna took over all the processes related to assistance coordination.

A field kitchen was set up in the hub. So, for example, people could cook food on refrigerator grills. To get water, they had to melt snow. Volunteers delivered food to those in need and helped the wounded.

Despite the war, the educational platform “Halabuda” is currently developing in other cities of Ukraine, particularly, in Cherkasy and Lviv regions. (Since 2014, the educational platform has been engaged in volunteer support for the military and civilians).  

• casualties
• occupation
• volunteers
• Mariupol

In Bucha, Kyiv region, the reconstruction of a residential high-rise building on Vodoprovidna Street is almost completed. After the russians’ rocket attacks on this building 20 apartments, the entrance and the roof needed major repairs.

Among other things, the windows in the attic have already been replaced, and the entrance and apartments have been overhauled. It is noted that the owners of the apartments in the remodeled building will finally be able to return home.

• casualties
• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Issa Sadi from the Republic of Guinea in West Africa has been living in Ukraine for over 30 years. The man studied in Kyiv. He was a Vice-Consul of the Honorary Consulate of Guinea in Ukraine. Currently, he is the President of “African Council in Ukraine” NGO.

In the first days of russia’s full-scale invasion, the man helped the Africans to evacuate. He also provided the Ukrainian military with warm clothing. Later, he joined the volunteers of “Dobrobat” (Volunteer Building Division). He has already helped to clear debris in Kyiv region on multiple occasions, and also repaired a roof destroyed during the war. The man also plans to involve his family and acquaintances in volunteer work.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• volunteers
• Kyiv

Ruined houses and covered holes from explosions — the village of Moshchun, Bucha district, Kyiv region, is currently recovering from the events that happened here at the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion into Ukraine. Some of the fiercest battles with the enemy took place in this village located next to Kyiv. This place became an outpost on the russian invaders’ way to the capital. Almost 70% of the housing stock in Moshchun was destroyed. The Armed Forces of Ukraine fully liberated the village from the russian military on March 21, 2022.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Currently, the Bucha City Council, together with the Kyiv Regional Military Administration and other partners, is implementing a project for Vokzalnaya Street comprehensive restoration. Every damaged and destroyed house is planned to be rebuilt. Almost 200 people work daily to restore the legendary street.

For reference: During the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian troops destroyed a large column of Russian equipment on Vokzalnaya Street in Bucha. Photos of this street went viral at the time.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On Monday, February 20, a Ukrainian team of beauty industry professionals will visit Horenka in Kyiv Oblast. The beauty volunteers will give free haircuts and coloring, eyebrow correction, massages, or hygienic manicures to the residents.

For reference: the idea of beauty volunteering belongs to Olha Belytska, a makeup artist. Together with like-minded people, Olha comes to the de-occupied settlements of Kyiv Oblast every week (recently, they also worked in the Kharkiv region) to help people who have survived occupation horrors feel beautiful again.

• casualties
• occupation
• volunteers
• Kyiv

Residents of a micro-district in Irpin, Kyiv region, which sustained significant damages during the fighting and partial occupation of the city, have been struggling to restore their damaged buildings for almost a year. Volunteers helped to clear the debris last summer, and the owners of damaged apartments are currently collecting funds to restore their houses. For example, the cost of rebuilding just one building reaches UAH 15 million (over USD 400,000). In certain cases, only the facades of buildings remain, several other houses have already been demolished, and new ones are to be built in their place.

For reference: in February-March 2022, Irpin in Kyiv region became a major battlefield during the russian offensive on Kyiv. A third of Irpin was occupied, and it was here that the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Territorial Defense Forces managed to crush the russians. During the fighting, more than 300 civilians were killed, and thousands were left homeless. In particular, one of the micro-districts of the city (mentioned above) was almost completely destroyed, due to the use of russian aerial bombs, among other things.

• casualties
• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

In Bucha, Kyiv region, the restoration of apartment buildings damaged during the occupation is still underway. In particular, utility workers are replacing windows in entrances and corridors of high-rise buildings on one of the local streets.

For reference: at the beginning of the all-out war, russian troops occupied Bucha. On March 31, 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the city.

• occupation
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Kyiv